Hard Hat & Black Tie Gala Live Auction Preview

Hard Hat & Black Tie is going virtual! In these uncertain times, the safety and health of our Habitat community is our top priority. We have been monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and recommendations from the CDC to make decisions that ensure the well-being of our community. As a result, we made the decision to move the Hard Hat & Black Tie Gala from a live event to a virtual event.

Please join us for a virtual fundraising event on the evening of Saturday, May 2, 2020. And it’s free—no tickets required!

Create homes from the comfort of yours. Go all out with your construction couture outfit. Or get comfy in your PJs. But you won’t want to miss the best virtual gala of the season, featuring virtual live and silent auctions, a fun program, and more. 

Take a look at our live auction items! 

A Week in a Stunning Home in Costa Rica

Donated by Kevin Filter and Sandi Tazelaar, US Bank, and United Airlines

Enjoy a luxurious stay at a Costa Rican home unlike any other. Casa Dos Palmas is a stunning 4,000-square foot tropical home at the top of a mountain across from Marina Paz Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica, just minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park. The main house has four large bedrooms all equipped with King size Tempurpedic cooling mattresses and top-of-the line amenities. The 500-square foot adjoining guest house rivals the main house, and with 2,000 square feet of outdoor patio space, you’ll never want to leave. You’ll enjoy jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and beautiful sunsets every evening. Relax in the infinity edge pool on the side of the mountain or in the hot tub with a thatched roof. And you won’t have to lift a finger—this package includes a week of chef and housekeeping services.  And this package includes roundtrip airfare for four people to get you there. Pura Vida!

Private Dinner for Six with Chef Justin Sutherland

Donated by Justin Sutherland

Enjoy a VIP culinary experience with Justin Sutherland, Executive Chef at Handsome Hog. Justin was a winner of Food Network’s Iron Chef America and a contestant on the most recent season of Bravo’s Top Chef. Justin will treat you and five guests to a five-course meal with wine pairings included. Your private dinner could be at your own home, Handsome Hog, or another Madison Group Restaurant.

A week in beautiful Kauai, Hawaii

Donated by Canetani Properites and Alaska Airlines

Wanna get away? Visit gorgeous Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa on Hawaii's beautiful island of Kauai. Stay in a luxury penthouse with unforgettable ocean views, two master suites, three bathrooms, two soaking bathtubs, designer furnishings, a private lanai, and heavenly beds. Two roundtrip coach tickets on Alaska Airlines included.

Private Distillery Party at Brother Justus with Matt Birk: An evening of laughs, food, and drink

Donated by Brother Justus

Experience a most unique and fun evening for your group of up to 25 at the Brother Justus Whiskey Company underground distillery in northeast Minneapolis. The Brother Justus distillery is named for a real-life Benedictine monk who helped Minnesota farmers escape poverty during Prohibition, by teaching them the art of distilling fine whiskey and building their precision stills with which to make it. The evening will include a tour of the Brother Justus distilling operations and a private tasting of their exceptionally smooth and flavorful, hand-crafted Minnesota Single Malt whiskeys. The night will also feature a private comedy set by St. Paul native, Minnesota Viking and Super Bowl champion, Matt Birk. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Polaris Ranger XP 1000

Donated by Polaris

Packed with over 100 consumer-inspired improvements and innovations, the Ranger XP 1000 is the industry-leading premium utility side-by-side. Its ProStar 1000 engine delivers 82 horsepower and 62 pounds per foot of torque to take on the toughest tasks. The one-piece chassis makes this beast more rigid and more capable of delivering a super smooth ride. With 2,500 lbs. of towing capacity - the most towing capacity ever found in a utility side-by-side - the Ranger XP 1000 is purpose built so you can haul more, work harder, and get more done. Ranger XP 1000. More rugged, more refined, more Ranger.

Suite at Cher Concert

Donated by Wells Fargo

You're going to want to "Turn Back Time" after a fantastic night with Cher and 17 of your friends! You won't "Believe" how much fun you will have when you see Cher perform live from the Wells Fargo suite at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, May 18.  Includes two parking passes. 

A Taste of Napa

Donated by Jeff and Mary Smith and Ketchum Estates

Here is your chance to experience some of the world’s finest wines—first at home in Minnesota, then in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Napa Valley! This amazing package includes everything you need for the ultimate Napa experience!

Start your experience with a private wine dinner for you and five guests at Cedar + Stone Urban Table at the JW Marriott Mall of America! The Cedar + Stone sommelier will lead you and your guests through an evening of Napa wine perfectly paired with a chef curated dinner in the private dining room. Then retreat to your guest rooms (3 standard rooms included) for the evening and enjoy brunch the next day!

Then you and one guest will experience Napa in person when you are treated to the following:

• $1,000 gift certificate on Delta Air Lines to jet off to San Francisco
• $3,700 gift certificate for four nights at the Forbes Five-Star Rated Solage Resort in Calistoga
• Two-night stay in the Ketcham Estate guest house in Healdsburg with private wine tasting
• Wine tastings at three of Napa’s best wineries: Far Niente, Mayacamas and AXR at V Madrone Cellars (valued at $460)
• $150 gift certificate to Goose & Gander in St. Helena to enjoy lunch
• $200 gift certificate to Bottega restaurant in Yountville

This package must be redeemed by September 30, 2019.

Cheer on the Wild with Super Fan Chris Coleman

Donated by Minnesota Wild and Chris Coleman

Cheer on the Wild with fellow fan and Habitat President & CEO Chris Coleman! You, Chris and 15 of your friends will watch the game from a "suite" view at your choice of one 2019-2020 pre-season game.  $250 towards food and beverage is included.

How to Access our online auction and start bidding